From the parrot’s beak: scams, schemes and scoundrels edition

by vent wing

– Parrot napper nabbed: Quincy woman is alleged robber of baby green cheeked conure from It’s a Pet’s World store in Weymouth, MA. The parrot has not apparently been recovered as of press time; a very dangerous situation if it is in the hands of someone inexperienced with hand feeding baby birds. Scroll below ad to continue. http://www.patriotledger.com/news/x1069223077/Quincy-woman-charged-with-…

– “Parrot Confidential” fallout: The as yet unaired PBS “Nature” episode now has Jane Goodall lining up with many parrot rescues critical of parrot ownership. http://www.argofilms.com/film/parrot-confidential/review-jane-goodall Several members of American Federation for Aviculture feel the presentation is unfairly slanted., rendering it unlikely that they’ll be too happy with a new, similarly themed book, “The Diary of Pink Pearl, A Bird’s Eye View” by Jes Führmann about a Moluccan cockatoo. Clip from “Parrot Confidential”, scheduled to air 11/13. http://video.pbs.org/partnerplayer/4tVEbhMLDQ6Qsu3wXgk9lQ==/?autoplay=false … And an AFA member rebuts the clip: “Dolly seems to be a bird whose owner has NOT provided enough for her to *do*, who reinforces the undesirable behavior with attention (notice that she looks at dolly when dolly vocalizes).”

– A man reported to the Niagara County, NY Sheriff’s Office that he was buying two Congo African grey parrots found on a website from a Midland, Texas man. After a wire transfer of $1007, the victim told the Sheriff’s Office he was contacted again and told he needed to send another $900 for transportation fees. The victim decided to cancel the transaction and requested the money back. Deputies attempted to contact the Texas man, with no success. — In a related development, parrot sales or scam(?) http://www.valleynewslive.com/story/23794422/many-are-calling-local-bird…

– Parrot Wizard Michael Sazhin and friends Kili and Truman, sensations on national TV and You Tube, plan to be on hand at the Birdie Bash in CT on 11/9. Here are the Wiz and Kili the Senegal performing for David Letterman. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeLAromg0js See the Showtime section for Bash details.

– Hate it when that happens: man trying to save parrot killed: http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/trying-to-save-bird-chennai-…

– They’re baaaaaack: “”This is not training, it’s torture!” say opponents of the strobe light based “‘Stop Screaming Polly” device. The manufacturers’ response on their Facebook page: “We have no idea why someone just picked up that old story now.We haven’t sold any units since we paused sales over a month ago.” They go on to claim that the device is harmless and that they are reaching out to avian experts and veterinarians.

– Halloween hangover: chocolate is toxic to birds, but you may not know of the life-threatening dangers of candy and gum sweetened with Xylitol. Be extra careful your parrot does not gain access to it. There is no known antidote, warns Linda Rubin. http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/pet-health-information/article/animal-h….

– There are more than 350 species of parrots and about 120 species of parakeets alone. “Parakeet” is the avicultural term for several species of long tailed, slim bodied parrots, INCLUDING the budgerigars, or budgies, that Americans commonly refer to as parakeets.

– Clubbin’:The Parrot Club of Connecticut meets 11/9, 100 Sunset Ridge Drive, East Hartford, CT. Scheduled speaker is Lanette Raymond, president of Long Island Parrot Society — Greater Charlotte Cage Bird Society has undergone a shake up ; and recently posted this notice: “Due to an unforeseen circumstance we had some members that had a disagreement with the club. For the most part the members were wanting the club ran by the by-laws.The members with the disagreement got up and walked out of the meeting. The club is still a club and we will still be doing expos three times a year.”